“I’m excited to join the SIA
Board of Directors for a second time — being part of a group that works for the
benefit of the entire snow sports industry is truly gratifying,” commented Clark Gundlach, Spyder.

Additional changes to board roles include Mike Noonan of Marker-Völkl USA, who
will move up to second vice chair, and Mike
West of Westlife
Distribution moving up to third vice chair. Exiting board
members include Tom
McGann, Tyler
LaMotte and Peter
Ashley.

Other agenda items included the trade show and expanding SIA’s
educational program beyond the dates of the annual SIA Snow Show. The board also voted not to
increase the annual SIA membership dues and trade show space rates. SIA’s
membership dues have not seen a rate increase since 1984.

Due to the success of this year’s inaugural Industry + Intelligence, a full day of
educational offerings hosted the day before the 2015 SIA Snow Show, the board
voted to expand SIA’s educational programs to include several year-round
programs. New programs for 2015/16 will include a fall workshop series, monthly
webinars, on-demand sessions, and a digital library for download.

“SIA has always been an
incredible resource for the snow sports industry in terms of research and
education to better plan, manage and maximize your business. Now they will be
rolling out programs that provide more opportunities throughout the year,
making it even easier to take advantage of these critical resources,” said Jared Bevens, VP
Global Footwear Merchandising, VANS.

NSAA
president Michael Berry, left, presents the award to David Ingemie

On Tuesday, May 5, David Ingemie, SIA’s President,
received the National
Ski Areas Association (NSAA) 2015 Lifetime Achievement Award during
a special presentation at NSAA’s National Convention and Tradeshow. Each year,
the NSAA Lifetime Achievement Award is given in recognition of extraordinary
lifetime commitment to NSAA and the ski industry. Recipients’ contributions are
noted for their efforts that will benefit the industry for decades to come.

“I was truly honored to be recognized by NSAA with a Lifetime
Achievement Award. I’m so proud to be associated with the snow sports industry
and NSAA has always been a great partner to SIA. Our industry works together on
so many levels, we all share the same passion for snow sports and I have so
much respect for NSAA and its staff,” Ingemie
said.

Board members also received a report on various efforts to gather
data this season for the Downhill Consumer Intelligence Project (DCIP).
More than 100,000 on-hill interviews were conducted this season that will
provide insights and a far deeper understanding of snow sports participants
including their overall skiing and snowboarding habits, buying activities,
communication patterns, and their snow sports identities and behaviors.
Furthermore, information gathered from interviewing potential participants, and
lapsed participants, will provide insight on how to bring more consumers to the
snow sports market.

“One of the most amazing findings in Phase One of the research
data was the total number of resort visits was nearly identical now to what it
was 40 years ago. We have had unbelievable consistency for a four-decade
period. I am looking forward to the huge amount of information we are going to
learn about our on-snow participants once this project is completed next fall,”
said Dan “Sully”
Sullivan, Rome SDS.

Another highlight included a presentation by Tiger Shaw, CEO of
the United States Ski and Snowboard Association (USSA),
regarding recent membership changes and the expansion of the athlete
development programs. Gold medal Olympian and World Cup Champion Mikaela Shiffrin
charmed the SIA Board with her words on the sport and personal inspirations.
She thanked the snow sports industry and all the individual suppliers that
support athletes and help make them the best in the world.

In January 2015, David Ingemie announced he would be stepping down
from his role of president in 2016. Ingemie’s successor will begin in a
transitional role this summer and assume the role of president following the
2016 SIA Snow Show.

An SIA Member search committee, chaired by Julie Garry, CEO of Outdoor Gear, and
managed by Buffy
Filippell of TeamWork
Consulting are currently interviewing candidates for the
position. Filippell has attended several committee and board meetings to
develop a comprehensive understanding of SIA’s future goals and the
qualifications for an ideal candidate.

Wrapping up a very productive
couple of days ending the sales season and enjoying time with NSAA and industry
colleagues, the SIA Board of Directors and staff look forward to the summer and
the 15/16 snow sports season.